Chapter 18 - The Last Door
"Hands where I can see them," Raines ordered.
Mercer had a small pistol hidden at his waistband, forbidden inside the facility. The sight of it turned the chapel silent. Lucie stepped back, keeping herself between him and the seated women.
"Don't," she said. "There are cameras everywhere."
"You've already destroyed me," Mercer snapped.
"No. You did that."
He aimed toward Raines. Valérie shoved a heavy wooden chair across the aisle. It struck Mercer's knees, forcing him off balance. The pistol fired into the ceiling. Plaster rained down. Raines and another officer tackled him before he could shoot again.
Women screamed and ducked. Lucie checked the nearest pew, helped a shaking inmate to her feet, and counted every face until she was sure nobody had been hit.
At the gate, investigators took control of the prison's records room. Mara reached Lucie through the legal line two hours later, her voice ragged with relief.
"They found Rosa," she said. "She's in an ambulance."
Lucie gripped the receiver. "And June? Nico?"
"Cedar Ridge was raided under the same operation. Eleven detained women were found in locked offices and storage rooms. June's there. Nico, too. He's injured, but conscious. Investigators are taking statements right now."
Lucie covered her mouth. She had been preparing herself to hear the worst for so long that good news almost hurt.
"They found a second site," Mara continued. "A packaging warehouse across the county line. It looks like women were forced to work there under threats and fake release orders. Some were moved again when they resisted. The search is still going."
"Tell June I kept my promise."
"I will."
May you like
Before the call ended, Mara said there was one more thing. Keene had recovered a small digital recorder from Vale's office. The recording contained Thomas's voice, followed by a second man speaking at the scene of the warehouse fire.
"Lucie," Mara said quietly, "we now know why your brother's coffin was empty."
